Toilet system with pressure discharge pumping system



May 25, 1965' 'A. BROUGHTON I TOILET SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE DISCHARGE PUMPING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 w y rlllllllL E a mm M WW m mm m& A 5 mm R o E M u Q 5 r w k A bb mm Abb May 25, 1965 A. E. BROUGHTON TOILET SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE DISCHARGE PUMPING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Q 'm M I R 3m 6Q O f R\ $0M, Um II T .Qm I G fi v fim m H m 6 5 g WW \m vm 1 z W mm Q 5 II m m E umm mm m m Rm k Unmi, .WW 7 I 0 Q Q I Q I m I @v Q 1 I g I Q %k May 25, 1965 A. E. BROUGHTON 3,184,761

TOILET SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE DISCHARGE PUMPING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I M i-3L m m 21 f. 4 f r'Q I Z i a N a 1 Z T q g g g & 4 E I b b Q i! ,2 f I 35/ it I 4 l i W A 4 1 \0 Q N c l -m \\\l q 4 8 l-;H\ o t\ l 6 IR" Z A I l 6 I (3 t R I d 0\ i R \1 Q W n I INVENTOR. H mew/0R Z: 380061170 lrraknzay May 25, 1965 A. E. BROUGHTQN 3,184,761

TOILET SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE DISCHARGE PUMPING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 14, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 h mun lrrazmsr United States Patent 3=,Ti84,'761i TQILET SYSTEM PRESdURE DiSCHARG-E PUMPENG YTEM Arthur E. Broughton, Giens Fails, N351. Filed Nov. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 323,629

13 Claims. (Cl. 4%) i This invention relates generally to toilet systems and more particularly to a toilet system having a hydraulically actuated pumping mechanism for discharging refuse from the system.

Most toilet systems presently available rely on a flush ing system which operates under gravitational forces to carry away the refuse. However, there are various applications in which a gravity flow discharge is not possible, such as marine toilet systems and other self-contained facilities or toilet systems wherein the sewage discharge conduit is at a level above the toilet bowl; for

example, a toilet provided in the basement of a home. In these systems there is usually available a source of water under pressure to providefiushing water to the toilet but in order to provide the necessary bowl discharge pressure to remove the refuse, an additional system, such as a hand operated pump or an electrically operated pump, is provided.

Applicant, however, has designed a toilet system wherein the fluid delivered thereto from a pressure source is used as the actuating force to produce pumping power for the sewage discharge and also to provide flushing Water tothe bowl. In this manner, no further pumping system, either mechanical, hand operated or electrical, is

necessary. i

In applicants toilet system available power from the inlet water pressure is utilized by directing the flow thereof alternatively to the sides of an oscillating piston such that the piston will reciprocate and provide a source of mechanical power. The oscillating piston in turn is connected to and drives a refuse discharge piston which is a double acting piston designed to alternately receive and pump refuse from a toilet bowl into a discharge conduit. The directional control mechanism, directing the inlet water, simultaneously directs a portion of the inlet water to a pair of reciprocating valve members which control the communication between the pumping system and the bowl and positively prevent backfiow thereto. The valve members themselves are so designed and operated to provide positive sealing even where the consistency of the refuse is relatively solid, and the valves, when in the closed position, are responsive to not only the fluid inlet pressure acting as the initial closure force, but also the pumping piston pressure which assists in positively closing and maintaining them in closed position throughout the pressure stroke of the piston.

The directional control mechanism, besides directing the inlet water to the valve and oscillator, further receives and directs discharge water received from the oscillating piston and the valve units back into the flushing inlet of the toilet bowl. This system thereby makes use of all the water delivered to the directional control mechanism such that no additional fluid carrying lines must be provided for the operation of the flushing system.

In the design of this flushing system applicant has also found that for proper drainage of refuse from the toilet bowl the displacement of the refuse pumping element must be greater than the volume of water added to the bowl for flushing purposes. If the volumes were the same the bowl would ultimately overflow due to the refuse volume added to the bowl which must also be carried away. By so correlating these displacements, applicant completely drains the bowl on each pump stroke.

ice

Providing a double acting piston pump, of course, provides continuous pumping action wherein one side of the piston pumps the refuse into a discharging conduit while the other side is drawing refuse from the toilet bowl due to the low pressure created by the reciprocatory movement. Discharging the refuse under pressure allows applicants toilet system to be used in locations where back pressure exists in the sewage discharge line, such as operating the unit at a level below the level of the sewage discharge conduit.

By providing a pump operated by water pressure, applicant has eliminated the necessity of providing any other source of power which results in a simple, unique methed for pumping refuse from a toilet bowl and thus allows versatility of usage which is not available to a toilet system which requires such additional powering elements.

Applicants hydraulically powered toilet system also provides a sealed unit which does not require the ordinary venting systems and is therefore more easily installed than other systems.

It is, therefore, an object of applicants invention to provide a toilet system having a hydraulically powered pressure discharge pumping system wherein the pumping system is powered solely by watcr pressure delivered thereto from a pressure source.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a pressure discharge toilet system wherein a source of fluid pressure provides reciprocatorymovement to a pumping piston receiving refuse from a toilet bowl for discharging thesame under pressure into a discharge conduit.

It is a specific object of applicants invention to provide a pressure discharge flushing system for a toilet system wherein valve means are provided to positively control communication between a pumping cylinder and a toilet bowl outlet such that on the pumping stroke no backfiow of refuse may pass from the pumping cylinder into the bowl.

It isa further specific object of applicants invention to provide a pressurized flushing system for a toilet bowl wherein inlet Water from a pressure source is directed to an oscillating piston member to provide reciprocatory movement thereof which is transferred to provide recipricatory pumping movement of a refuse pumping piston and wherein the discharge water from the oscillator piston is subsequently directed into the toilet bowl to provide a source of flushing water for the bowl.

It is a further specific object of applicants invention to provide a toilet bowl flushing system wherein valve means controlling communication between the bowl and a pumping element are hydraulically controlled by water from a pressure source and wherein the discharge water from the valves is subsequently directed into the toilet bowl to provide a source of flushing water for the bowl.

t is still a further object to provide a reciprocating pump element to pump refuse from a toilet bowl wherein the displacement thereof is sufficient to insure complete drainage of the bowl during each cycle of the pump element.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and'in which FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a toilet system embodying the concepts of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial vertical section taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the pumping section of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along 53 line 33 of FIG. 1 showing-the valving between the bowl and pumping section;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 5 showing the. valve and pumping section relation;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

. FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the elements and the fluid flow therethrough.

In accordance with the accompanying drawings, the toilet system embodying the concepts of applicants invention generally include a toilet bowl designated A, a

pumping section best illustrated in'FIG. 2 and designated inits entirety 10 and a valve sectiongenerally designated 11 and best illustrated in FIG. 3. i The pump section 10 i and valve section 11 are surrounded by a cover housing B and are not therefore visiblein FIG. 1. placement and relation of the pump section 14 to the valve section 11 is illustrated in FIG. 4 which best shows the communicating channels therebetween through which refuse from the bowl A will pass.

The bowl A shown in cross section in FIG. 7 is of the type commercially available and includes a refuse'containing portion designated C with a refuse dischargeoutlet D therebelow. A, flushing inlet conduit E is formed at the rear of the bowl A and extends upward to a flushing The physical rim F provided with a plurality ofdownwardlydirected flushing openings G" therein. The bottom portion of the includes a main housing member 13 having a passage,

therethrough to provide a double ended cylinder. generally designated 14 therein and wherein .the ends of the cylinder will be designated respectively 14a, 1419. An oscillator having its mainhousing designated 16 is sealingly attached 1 to one end 14b of the housing 13 by cap screws 16a to provide the sealing closure for one end 14b of the cylinder 14. The other end 14a of the cylinder 1 is closed bya directional control mechanism designated generally 17 sealingly attached to the cylinder housing 13 by cap screws 17a. 1

A pumpingpiston 18 is mounted for reciprocation within a sleeve 19. fixedly attachedto the housing 13, and in the form shown includes a generally arcuate flexible sealing member 20 having the outer periphery insealing communication with the sleeve 19.

which is in turn fixedly attached to one end of a connecting drive shaft 22. which extends throughout the longitudinaldimension of cylinder 14 and is sealingly arranged to extend into the oscillator 16 being sealed against leakage. by a mechanical seal 23 as it extends therein. The oscillator 16 includes an actuator in the form of a piston 24 mounted for reciprocatory movement therein attached to the drive shaft 22 by an appropriate connector 24a. 24 is substantially the same as the pump piston 18 and includes a generally arcuate flexible sealing member 25 attached to a piston head plate 26 which in turn is mounted on shaft 22 by the attachment unit 24a. The oscillator housing 16 is provided with a cylinder sleeve 27 therein to provide a smooth operating surface for the piston 24-. 1

Although notyshown in FIG. 2, a pair of fluid inlets 16b, 16c are provided respectively at the ends of oscillator housing 16 such that fluid may be delivered to both sides of piston. 24. These inlets 16b, 16c. are shown on the diagrammatic view in FIG. 7.

The directional control mechanism 17 receives water from an inlet conduit 3% and directs the how thereof to the elements of the system. In the form shown the directional control mechanism 17 includes a main hous- Sealing member 20. is secured to the periphery of a piston head plate 21.

In the form shown, the actuating piston ranged fluid control passages which are'designa ted re- 1 spectively 31a, 31b,.31c, 31d and 31a. The body portion 31 is sealingly closed on both ends thereof and the end attached to the housing 13 provides the closure head for the end 14a of the cylinder 14. The directional control unit 17. is further provided with a stationary hollow spool control member 32 therein having a plurality of passages formed therethrough whichfare respectively in communicating alignment with the fluid control passages 31a-31e to, allow fluid to pass into the interior thereof. A movable spool, valve 33is-imounted for reciprocatory movement within stationary spool 32 and is provided with circumferential passages 33a, 33b and 33c thereabout. The arrangement and longitudinal length of these passages 33a, 33b, 33c. allows communication between pairs of the.

arcuate fluid control passages 31a31e. The purpose of this communication will be explained hereinafter.

A slidable pilot valve 35 is arranged for sliding movement within the sliding spool valve 33 and is, further provided with longitudinal passages 350 along the periphery thereof to control the flow of water thereabout. I

A throttle rod 36 is mounted and maintained within the hollow interior ofpilot valve 35 such that the same may slide freely therein over a short longitudinal span before contacting certain portions of the pilot valve. Throttle rod 36 extends'sealin'gly. outwardly through the end ofthe directional 'controlmechanism 17' and is received into a longitudinal passage 22a in' drive rod 22.

such that the units consisting of control unit 17, actuator piston Z4 and pumping piston 18 2 are now physically attached. A stopmember 36a-iis mounted on the extending; end of the rod 36 and is maintained within the rod receiving passage 22a but is allowed to move freely therein over a-portion of the longitudinal travel of the rod 22. A closure cap 221) prevents'accidental removal of stop end 36a of throttle rod 36 from the passage 22a. The other, end of rod 36 is likewise provided with'a stop 36b such that the. same will abut with portions of the pilot-valve 35 and provide movement thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, discharge passages 40a, 4% ex tend upwardly from the ends 14a, 14b" of the--cylinder 14 respectively and a pair of fiappier checks valves 41a, 415

are locateddirectly .the'reabove to close the same and preventbackflow of refuse into the cylinder 14. These check valves 41a and 4111 are one Way valves and allow flow only outwardly from the cylinder 14. Further, the check valves discharge into acommon discharge conduit 42 which when the pumping system is in use will be connected to a remote discharge.

Although the method of developing the reciprocation of the actuator piston Maud connected pumping pistons 18 is not obvious from the drawing in FIG. 2 until a further description of the fluid fiow is presented, in order to explainathe' elements further a short operative statei of water will drive the'actuator piston 24- and connected pumping piston 18 to the left, thereby expelling any sew age in the left'end 14b of cylinder 14- out of the discharge opening 4912. As the piston progressto the left continues the closure cap 22]) of the drive shaft 22 will abut with the stop element 66:: on throttle rod 36 drawing the same to the left. The other end 35b of rod 36 will then abut with stop element 350011 the interior of pilot 3S and draw the pilot valve 35, slightly to the left until it abuts with a stop element 33d on the interior of slidable spool valves.

valve 33. Water will then enter behind the pilot valve 35 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 through the small passages 33a. This fluid will serve to shift the entire spool valve 33 to the left thereby shifting communication between the arcuate control passage Maw-31c and the respective communication passages 33a-33c on position to the left such that for example the passage 31b and 310 would now be in communicating relationship. This new communicating relationship allows the actuator piston 24 and pumping piston 18 to be forced to the right back into the position as shown.

There are further refinements of the fluid control arrangement such as cushioning to prevent knocking at the end of each stroke, which it is not felt necessary to bring out at this time but which are more thoroughly explained in the patent to Arthur E. Broughton entitled Oscillator, No. 2,597,443 issued May 20, 1952.

The physical relation between refuse outlet D of the bowl A and the pumping section 19 is best illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the relative position of the refuse outlet D is shown in dotted lines in its proper position. Communication between the refuse outlet D and the pumping section 16 is controlled through the valve section 11 shown in both FIGS. 3 and 4. In the form shown the refuse outlet D discharge into a receiving conduit 59 formed in housing 13 which has its downwardly extending end divided to form a substantial T-shaped conduit as illustrated in FIG. 4 such that a pair of valves may be provided therein to alternately open and close communication between the refuse receiving section 59 and the respective sides 14a, 14b of the cylinder 14. FIG. 5 illustrates the passage 51a affording communication into the end 14a of the pumping cylinder 14 and FIG. 6 illustrates the soil receiving portion 50 communicating with the continuous passage 52 wherein the valves are located.

As best shown in FIG. 3 the passage 5?; extends through the casing 13 and has an intermediate portion thereof in position to receive refuse from the refuse receiving section 59 underlying the bowl discharge outlet D. A pair of valve seats designated respectively 53a, 53b are positioned against longitudinal movement within the passage 52 against a pair of shoulders designated respectively 52a, 5215. A second pair of passages designated respectively 51a, 51b extend from the endmost portions of the passage 52 to afford communication to the pumping cylinder 14. The valves 68-61, referring to the entire units, are sealingly mounted against the sides of the casing 13 by cap screws 63 and in the form shown each respectively includes a stationary spool valve member 64-65 sealingly fitted into the valve housings dim-61a and provided with a second internal hollow sleeve 64a, 65:: therein to facilitate a sliding surface for the movable portion of the In the form shown, each valve includes a valve stem member 66-67 provided with an abutting shoulder 65a, 67a on one end thereof against which is mounted a flexible valve face 66b, 67b which in the'form shown is slightly frustoconical in shape to abut with and seal against the valve seats 53a, 52b; The valves 66b, 5712 are held against the shoulders 66a, 67aby providing a plate and tubular section 68-69 therebehind which abut with the rearside of the valve faces 66!), 57b and force the same against the stop shoulders 66a, 67a. A pair of drive pistons respectively designated 70-71 are provided on the other end of the shafts 66-67 and are fastened thereto by an adjustment nut member 79a, 71:; such that when the nut is tightened on a threaded portion of the rods 65-67 the piston head plate 79b, 7111 will abut with the tubular portions 69-69 and force the same to hold the valve faces 66!), 67b against the stop shoulders 66a, 67a.

The outer periphery of the tubular shaft portions 68-69 are sealed to present a fluid tight housing at the frontmost portion of the housing 6901-61a by a-mechanical seal designated in its entirety 72-73 respectively. Many of these mechanical seals are available and no further description is deemed necessary.

A pair of inlet passages designated respectively 75a, 75b and 76a, 7612 are provided on either end of the stationary spool members 64-65 and adjacent internal sleeves 64a, $5.51. It is obvious that fluid delivered to any of these passages will force the respective valve piston 79 or 71 in the opposite direction and force discharge water from the other side of the respective piston. Coordination of the movement of the valves 60, 61 to the pumping piston 18 will be further described in the description of the flow diagram of FIG. 7. However, presently it should sufiice to say that water from the directional control mechanism 17 is alternately directed to either side of the pistons 70, 71 through the proper passages such that the valve faces 66b, 67b will alternately close on the pumping pressure stroke of the piston 13 and open on the suction stroke thereof such that refuse may be admitted from the refuse receiving section 50 through the passage 52 into the respective communicating passages 51a, 51b.

In order to provide flushing water to the system a pres sure equalization primary control valve designated is provided in the inlet line 39. One of these valves, although many are commercially available, is shown in FIG. 7. The principle of these valves is well known wherein the valve housing 91 is divided into a pressure balance chamber 92 and a direct flow chamber 93, by a diaphragm member 94. An inlet 91a. is provided on the side of the flow chamber 93 and an outlet 91b on the bottom thereof which in this case communicates with the system inlet 39. A guide sleeve 95 is arranged in the direct flow chamber 93 to seal with the underside of diaphragm.

A hollow guide unit 96 is arranged for longitudinal movement within the sleeve 95 and has its uppermost end- 964: secured to the diaphragm 94 for movement therewith such [that when the diaphragm 94 is displaced upwardly, movement of the guide unit 96 will allow fluid.

flow from the direct fiow chamber 93 into the sleeve and through the valve outlet 91b. Relief valve 97 is mounted for longitudinal movement within guide 96 and the uppermost end is arranged for sealing engagement with the upper side of diaphragm 94. The relief valve 97 allows communication from the pressure balance chamber 92 to the valve outlet 91b for drainage of water therefrom when valve 97 is shifted from sealing relation with diaphragm 94.

A universally mounted handle 98 is mounted in operative position to the. relief valve stem 97a such that it will displace the relief valve 97 from the diaphragm 94, no matter which direction it is moved. When the handle 98 is shifted, water from the pressure balancing chamber 92 is drained into the guide sleeve 95 through the hollow guide unit 96; the diaphragm 94 remains in sealed position to the guide sleeve 95 end until suflicient water is displaced from the pressure balancing chamber 92 to allow the water pressure in the direct flow chamber 93 to force the diaphragm 94 upwardly. When the diaphragm 94 is unseated, water will flow from the direct flow chamber 93 into the guide sleeve 95 and through valve outlet 91b.

An inlet orifice 99 is provided through the diaphragm 94 affording communication between the direct flow chamber 93 and pressure balance chamber 92. After release of the operating handle 98 the relief valve 97 seats on the diaphragm 94 and water flows from the direct flow chamber 93 not only through the valve outlet 91!) but also through orifice 99 into the pressure balance chamber 93 to subsequently fill the chamber 93 and force the diaphragm into sealing position against guide sleeve 95.

An adjustment member 1% is provided in the upper portion of the pressure balance chamber 92 to govern amount of water drained from the pressure chamber 92 when relief valve 97 is unsea'ted, and hence governs the amount of time necessary to refill the chamber 92,

thereby controlling the time and amount offiow of water between the direct flow chamber 93 and valve outlet 91]).

, To coordinate the elements and their respective move' ments, a description of the flow diagram shown in FIG. 7 is now presented; In this view the items presentedinclude the individual bowl A, the valve section 11, the pumping section 18 and the fluid directional control section 17. Fluid flow conduits are represented by the flow lines and from a study of the other various views it should be remembered that some of these actions occur.

simultaneously. The solid line in FIG. 7 shows the delivery of water and the dotted line shows the discharge of water from the various components as the pistons move to the left. As illustrated herein inlet water is admitted to the arcuate control passage 310 of the directional control member 17 from inlet by depressing the primary control valve90 handle and communication is afforded by the passage 33b of movable spool valve 33 into chamber 31d. The flow of-water leaves the chamber 31d and is delivered to the oscillator 16 to the right side of actuator piston 24 through the opening in the housing 16b. Water is also delivered to the valve designated 60 to the left of piston 70 through opening 75b .such that the piston 70-is driven immediately to the right into sealed position against the valve seat 5311, thus closing communication between the refuse outlet D and communicating, passage 52 and passage 54b. Water is likewise delivered to the left side of piston 71 of valve 61 through passage 76a such that this valve face 67a is opened to afford communication between the refuse outlet D,"passage .52 and communicating passage 51:: into cylinder 1 The piston 18 driven by actuator piston 24 is now traveling to the left and refuse within the cylinder 14 is forced through the discharge opening 40b past the check valve 41b into the discharge conduit. During the pistons travel to the left, water is, of course, being forced from the left side of the actuator piston 24 through opening 15c in the oscillator housing 16 as indicated by the dotted line. This water is delivered to arcuate passage 31b of the directional control member 17 and communicates therewithin with the discharge passage 31a through movable spool passage 33a. Discharge water is also received through this same sequence from the valve 6% from the right of piston 70 through opening 75:: and valve 61 from the right of piston 71 through opening 76b. As indicated, all the dotted lines join into a common conduit member delivering water to the arcuate control passage 31b and subsequently into adjacent passages 31a. sage 31a and likewise the discharge chamber 31e on the other end of the directional control housing 17 is delivered therefrom into the flushing conduit E of bowl A and subsequently into the flushing rim F at the upperend thereof. Further, during this pistons 13 travel to the left; a low pressure is created on the right of the piston 18 such that refuse will be drawn therein past the now open valveol, however the check valve 41a being closed will not afford backtlow from the common discharge line into the cylinder 14.

Toward the end of one stroke the pilot valve 35 and movable spool valve 33 are drawn to the left by the rod 36' and the direction how is reversed as arcuate passage 310 will now communicate with passage 31b and deliver water to' the areas from which it previously received .water. Likewise, passage31d will communicate with discharge passage 316 and will deliver water there Water from the discharge pas- 'F'of the bowl A.

8. to for subsequent use as flushing .water for bowl A. This shifting will direct water to shift the valves and 61 into. their alternate position wherein the valve 61 will be closed and the valve 60 will afford communication between the refuse outlet and the cylinder 14.

Again, the discharge flow from the discharge portions EM, .310 of fluid control 17 will be directed into the flushing conduit .of bowl A and into the flushing rim F. During this movement to the right back into the position shown in FIG. 7 the refuse drawn into the cylinder 14011 the right side 14a thereof will now bev should the same become clogged. For example, it is.

obvious that a pair of clean-out ports could be constructed on the ends 14a, 14b of the pumping cylinder 14 such that when removed access would beaiforded into the pumping cylinder. 14. Although these clean-out ports are not shown on the drawings, itshould be, obvious that they would have to be tightly sealed to the housing 13 and would be of asize to aiford communication to the interior thereof.

By providing a common housing unit.13 having fluid carrying conduits formed therein as best illustrated in N68. 5 and .6, all external piping is eliminated. In FIGS. 5 and 6 the passage communicates with the discharge passage 31a-31e of the directional control unit 17 to deliver flushing water'to the flushing conduit E of bowl A. The passages 81, 82 are, of course, provided as the main fiowlines as indicated in FIG. 7, one of the passages 81 or $2 representing the solid line, the other representing the dotted line. casting in the proper manner, feed offs from these main passages 81, 82 will carry the fluid as indicated by the respective flow lines in 1 16.7;

Theentire unit as suggested in FIG. 1 is mounted on anyffirrn foundation and the main housing includes supportsandhold down legs 85-35 on the lower portion of housing 13. Some of the important considerations applicant has found necessary in proper operation of the pumping system is to provide the cylinders of both the oscillator 16 and the pumping piston 18 to be of diiferent sizes. The idea behind this different displacement arrangement is that for most eflicient operation the pumping piston should be full of fluid at all times. This is also the reason for the discharge 49a, 4% from the pumping piston 18 being displaced upwardly; In operation it has been stated that the discharge ofwater from the oscillator-16 and the valves 69-61 is fed back through the directional control unit 17 and into the flushing rim If the displacement of the actuator piston 24 and valve 6061 were not less than the displacement of the pumping piston 18, it is obvious that no additional material deposited in the bowl A could be carried therefrom but rather there would always be an excess in the bowl until the bowl finally overflowed. Applicant has found'that a ratio of the displacement of the actuator piston 24 to the pumpv piston 18 should be approximately two to three. Withthis ratio, the volume carried by the pump will allow additional refuse to be carried from the bowl A in one pumping stroke.

Applicant has also found that the-valves flit-61 are most effective when positively closed by the pressure of pump piston 18 Combining with the line pressure acting on pistons 70-71 rather than; acting as simple check valves. There is always the possibility that a check valve may be jammed in open position by a solid article caught between the valve and its respective valve seat, and should this happen there will be a backflow of the refuse into the bowl through the open valve; However, the posi- By coring thea) tively closing valves as provided by applicant are so designed as to seal eifectively against obstructions which will yield under the force exerted by said combined pressures.

In a typical installation, applicant has found that various considerations for the discharge must be made. For example, should the unit be installed at a level below the sewage line such that the discharge must be pumped upwardly, applicant provided a master check valve. This additional check valve would be placed at the upper end of the goose neck conduit 42 as shown in FIG. 2. This valve would positively prevent backflow into the pumping unit 10. If, however, the discharge is pumped downwardly, this additional check valve is not necessary but another feature is recommended, this being a vacuum release vent 42:: mounted in the discharge conduit 42 such that the valves Will be free to close and will not be held open by a vacuum. which would exist therein due to the syphoning action of the discharge.

Another additional unit may be installed to cooperate with the pumping cylinder 1%, this being a chlorinator injector. In certain instances, particularly on marine toilets, chlorination of refuse is required before discharging the same. if this is required, it would only be neces sary to provide an additional inlet on each end 14a, 14b of cylinder 14. Each impulse from the oscillator 16 would actuate an impulse fitting below a chlorinator injector such that a certain predetermined amount of chlorine would be injected directly into the discharge.

A typical installation in complete operation will now be discussed wherein the unit is mounted with the sewage line above the unit such that the additional master check valve is required. In placing the unit, it' is, of course, desirable to attach the legs 85 to some firm foundation. An inlet conduit supplying water under pressure must be provided and an outlet conduit must likewise be pro- ,vided. However, these are the only additional items required in that the pump being completely sealed does not require venting for odor removal. The Water inlet pressure should be as recommended from -15 .p.s.i. This pressure requirement holds true except in cases of extreme lift for the discharge. The most satisfactory type of installation is that wherein a pressure equalization valve such as a Sloan valve is used as the primary inlet control as hereinbefore described. The valve should be adjusted such that one push of the handle will allow desirable to provide a strainer for filtering the inlet water and an air chamber (not shown) may also be provided on the inlet line to prevent hammering at high pressures. The inlet conduit from the Sloan valve is connected to the water inlet 3% and the discharge is connected to the master check valve hereinbefore described. The unit is now ready for operation and one entire operational sequence will be described.

For this description the initial position of the elements is as indicated in FIG. 4 which likewise corresponds to the positions of the pumping unit 19 and valve unit 11 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Water entering the inlet 30 is guided into the arcuate inlet passage 31c and the position of the movable spool valve 33 guides the entering water through passage 33b into arcuate passage 31d. This passage is connected to coordinated passage 81 through housing 13 to allow the water to enter the right side of oscillator housing 16, thereby exerting pressure against the right side of the actuating piston 24. At this same time, water is delivered to the valve 60 through opening 751) exerting pressure against the piston 70 and forcing the valve face 66b against the seat 53b. Fluid likewise has been delivered to valve 61 operating against piston 71 to force the same to the right and thereby movll) ing valve face 67b away from valve seat 53a allowing flow therepast. During the entire travel of actuator piston 24 and pumping piston 18 to the left this situation is maintained. Simultaneously with this action, water is being discharged from the left side of the actuator piston 24 through opening back through the coordinated passage 82 in the casing 13. Discharge water also is received from the right side of valve 6%, piston '79 through opening 75a. Likewise, water is received from the right side of piston 71 of valve 61 through opening 76b. This entire discharge water is received into passage I 315 of the directional control unit 17 and is delivered therefrom through sliding spool valve 33, passages 33a into the arcuate discharge passage 31a. The entire discharge water is delivered from discharge passage 31a through conduit 30 in casing 13 into the flushing conduit E and flushing rim F into the refuse containing portion C of bowl A. i

As the piston 18 moves to the left near the end of the stroke the closure cap 22b abuts with stop elements 36a on the throttle rod 36 and moves the same to the left. The other end 3611 of throttle rod 31: abuts with a stop element 35:: to draw the pilot valve 35 to the left opening the passage 33c to admit water behind the pilot valve 35 to urge the same more positively to the left into abutting position with stop element 33d of movable spool valve 33 to subsequently move both members to the left end of the housing 31, thus shifting communication between po rts 31a3lc and 3361-3536 such that water is now directed to the other sides of the aforementioned pistons of both the oscillator 16 and valves 64), 61 and the directional control unit 17 will receive Water from the now exhaust sides of these pistons. This new flow causes the valve 60, 61 to be shifted into their alternate positions and starts the travel of actuator piston 24 and pump piston 18 to the right.

As the stroke progresses tothe right the stop end 36a of throttle rod as abuts with the end of the passage 22a such that the throttle rod 36 is forced to the right. The other end 36b of throttle rod thenengages another stop element 35b on the pilot valve 35 such that as best shown in FIG. 4 water may pass to the other end of throttle valve 35 along the peripheral passages 35c formed longitudinally thereon. This forces the pilot valve 35 to be moved against stop element 33d on movable spool valve 33- and urges the movable spool 33 thereal'on-g until the position as shown in FIG. 2 is again obtained. Throughout this entire movement, refuse is being pumped by the piston 18 out of the discharge conduit 52. The flushing water from the discharge passages 31a and 31]) has been continually delivered to the refuse containing portion C of bowl A and after the pumping action has stopped the water in the rim F drains through the openings G to maintain a proper seal level in the bowl.

As stated previously, the volumetric displacements of the actuator piston 24 and pump piston 18 are substantially different, the ratio being two to three, insuring complete drainage of the bowl and actually pumping a small amount of air during each cycle. This ratio and pumping relation remains true for any operating pressure.

The advantages of such a pumping unit are undoubtedly obvious to anyone skilled in the art in that a self-contained unit is provided which is operable against a dis charge pressure and requires no complicated installation procedure other than to provide a source of water pres sure and a discharge conduit. The simplicity of the installation opens many fields of commercial usability which were prior to this unattainable by standard available toilet units.

Heretofore, self-pumping toilet systems usually required the operator to recognize how the pump was manipulated but with applicants device the operation is obvious as most people are acquainted with the primary Ill control valve and will use it in the manner withwhichthey have become accustomed.

It should be obvious that applicant has provided a toilet system which is not only unique in its operative features but also insurescomplete' discharge of refuse and further prevents backflow of sewage from the pumping system into the bowl due to the positive action of the, valving system provided herein.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes.

() a hydraulically actuated pumping system connected to said supply means and to said bowl and including:

(1) a reciprocating actuator connected to said supply means and responsive for reciprocation to. the liquid suppliedunder pressure from said supply means;

(2) a pump connected to said actuator to be actuated thereby and communicating with said discharge outlet from the toilet bowl;

(3) check valve means positively preventing backflow through said discharge outlet from said (d) means for supplying from said supply means flush.- ing liquid to the flushing inlet means when said pump is being actuated by. said actuator; and.

(e) a primary control valve forcontrolling the liquid supplied to said actuator to control the operation thereof.

2. The'structure set forth in claim 1 and said check valve means including a liquid supply responsive actuator for positive movement of said valve means into open and closed position and combining with the pumping pressure of said pump to hold said check valve means in closed position.

3. The structure set forthin claim 1 and said primary control valve being responsive to water volume delivered thereto from said supply to control the volume of water.

supplied to said actuator.

4. A toilet system for pumping sewage under pressure, said system comprising:

(a) a toilet bowl having a discharge outlet in the lower.

portion and flushing inlet means in the upper portion; (b) liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure; (c) a hydraulically actuated double acting pumping system connected to said supply means and to said bowl, including:

(1) a reciprocating actuator connected to said supply means and responsive for reciprocation to the liquid supplied under pressure from said supply means;

(2) a double acting pump connected to said actuator to be actuated thereby and communicating with said discharge outlet from the toilet bowl;

(3.) check valve means controlling. communication between said bowl discharge outlet and said pump positively preventing backflow through said discharge outlet;

(d) means for supplying from said supply means flushing liquid to the bowl flushing inlet when said pump is being actuated by said actuator; (e) a primary control valve for controlling the liquid 12 supplied to said actuator to control the operation thereon 5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said double acting pump includes a double ended piston pump connected to said actuator for reciprocation therewith for alternately pumping material received therein from the bowl discharge outlet;

6. The structure set forth in claim 4 and said check valve meansv including a pair of check valves respectively controlling communicationbetweenthe double acting pump andthe bowl discharge outlet. 7

7. The structure setforth in claim 6 wherein said check valves include a hydraulic actuator responsive to liquid supply pressure for positive movement of saidcheck valves intoopen'and closed position and combining with the pumping pressure of said pump to hold said check valves in closed position.

8. A toilet system for pumping sewageunder pressure, said system comprising: Y a

(a) a toilet bowl having a discharge outlet in the lower portion andflushinginlet means in the upper portion;

(b) liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure;

(0) a hydraulically actuated pumping system connected to said supply means and to said bowl, including:

(1) a piston and cylinder actuator assembly connected tosaid supply: means and responsive for reciprocation of said piston tothe liquid supplied under pressure fromsaid supply means;

(2) a double acting pump connected to said'actuatorto. be actuated thereby and communicating with said discharge. outlet from the toilet bowl;

(3) check valve means controlling communication between said bowl discharge outlet and said pump positively preventing .backflow through said discharge outlet;

(d) means for'supplying fromsaid supply means flushing liquid to the bowl flushing inlet when said pump is being actuated by said actuatorassembly;

(e) a primary control valve for controlling the liquid supplied to said piston to control the reciprocation thereof.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8 wherein said actuator piston and cylinder assembly is double acting to provide drivingpower on each stroke thereof.

'10.'The.structure set forth in claim'9 and means directing exhaust liquid from they actuator piston into the flushing inlet means of said bowl. 11. The structure set forth in claim 10 wherein-the displacement of said actuator piston is less than the displacement of said pump.

12. A toilet system for pumping disposable matter under pressure, said system comprising:

(a) a toilet having a discharge outlet and flushing inlet means; (b) liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure; 7 (c) .a hydraulically actuated pumping system connected to said supply means-and to said toilet includmg:

(l) a reciprocatingv actuator connected to said supplymeans andresponsive for reciprocation to the liquid supplied under pressure from said supply means;

(2) a pump connected to said actuatorto be actuated thereby and communicating with said discharge outlet from the toilet;

(3) check valve means positively preventing backflow from said pump through said discharge outlet into the toilet;

(d) means for supplying from said liquid supply means flushing inlet means when said pump is being actuated by said actuator; and

(e) a primary control valve for controlling the liquid supplied to said actuator to control the operation thereof.

13. A toilet systemfor pumping sewage under pressure,

said system comprising:

(a) a toilet having a discharge outlet in the lower portion and flushing inlet means in the upper portion; ([2) liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure;

(0) a hydraulically actuated pumping system connected to said supply means and to said toilet including:

(1) a piston and cylinder actuator assembly connected to said supply means and responsive for reciprocation of said piston to the liquid supplied under pressure from said supply means;

(2) a double acting pump connected to said actuator assembly to be actuated thereby and communicating with said discharge outlet from the toilet;

(3) hydraulically actuated check valve means controlling communication between said toilet discharge outlet and said pump positively preventing backflow through said discharge outlet; (4) the combined displacement of said actuator piston and said check valve means is less than the displacement of said pump; (d) a control valve for controlling the liquid supplied to said piston to control the reciprocation thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LEWIS J. LENNY, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, Examiner. 

1. A TOILET SYSTEM FOR PUMPING SEWAGE UNDER PRESSURE, SAID SYSTEM COMPRISING: (A) A TOILET BOWL HAVING A DISCHARGE OUTLET IN THE LOWER PORTION AND FLUSHING INLET MEANS IN THE UPPER PORTION; (B) LIQUID SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE; (C) A HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED PUMPING SYSTEM CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPLY MEANS AND TO SAID BOWL AND INCLUDING: (1) A RECIPROCATING ACTUATOR CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPLY MEANS AND RESPONSIVE FOR RECIPROCATION TO THE LIQUID SUPPLIED UNDER PRESSURE FROM SAID SUPPLY MEANS; 